You should be able to lock the caps or numbers beyond one keypress. The treo does that well.
For caps-lock, press alt+right shift
For num-lock, press alt+left shift
Press shift to release
Using period "."
Press the space button twice and it automatically adds a period
No Predictive Text? How can that feature be missing? Very basic stuff.
Go into Options>Auto Text
You can create short forms e.g. if you type "mypin" and press space, it will automatically show your pin.
You can create your own custom text that is replaced by something you want.
Look through the tips and tricks for your phone. Not all the features are the same as other phones, but there are different or similar ones in most cases. Spend the time initially to get to know the phone and it will grow on you 
michaelfb68 wrote:What does a full keyboard have to do with predictive text? It is awesome on the iPhone and even the treo. Quite basic feature that should be included and optioned on/off.
I know RIMM isn't changing the keyboard, but they should. Design is weak and illogical. Pressing the dot/period should be 1 click anywhere.
I also know I can program side keys, but the point here are suggestions. Scrolling and clicking on notification icons would be a great feature and it wouldn't be hard to implement.
Furthermore, with Call Waiting in use, hitting the Red Button should end the current call and flash back to the first call, not hang everything up. Very poor design, imo. That needs to be configurable.
michaelfb68,
I undertand that the features aren't what you expected. From talking with other users on the forums most of us have no gripes with the issues you are experiencing. I guess it is just a matter of opinion 
These forums are intended for user to user support and RIM is unlikely to take any suggestions off them. Try emailing to bbsuggestions@rim.net for a more direct approach.
I hope you get to love your BB as other users have with time. It may just be a matter of adjusting
Cheers,
